Imitrex (generic name: Sumatriptan; brand name: Imigran) belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin agonists.

Imitrex is used to relieve migraine headache, with or without what is known as 'aura' (eg seeing dots or flickering lights, weakness or numbness of limbs). It also relieves other symptoms of a migraine attack like nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound.

It is thought that migraine headache is due to widening of certain blood vessels in the head. Imitrex works by making those vessels normal again and ease the symptoms of migraine.

Imitrex is not addictive.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Imitrex exactly as directed.

The recommended starting dose for adults is 50 mg. Depending on your response, you may need a higher dose of 100 mg. Your doctor will tell you which dose is right for you.

Swallow your Imitrex as soon as you feel the first signs of migraine headache pain. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

If you take your tablet later during the migraine attack, it will still work for you.

Some people have relief of their pain within 30 minutes after taking Imitrex tablets; most people get relief within 2 to 4 hours.

If the first Imitrex tablet helps your migraine, but the migraine comes back later, you may take another Imitrex tablet. Do not take more than 300 mg of Imitrex tablets in any twenty-four hour period.

Always wait 2 hours before taking another dose.

Keep your tablets in the blister packs in a cool dry place.

Precautions

Before taking Imitrex, tell your doctor if:

you are allergic to any medicines;
you have heart or liver problems, or vascular disease; or you have recently suffered a stroke;
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: sumatriptan.